Herbert Nehrlich - Burial

Churchbells remind me
to this day
of innocence and home.

I hurried now to reach
the ancient rust
and eerie squeak
of what you'd call
a sacred portal.

Townfolk had filled
the chapel room,
it was the final stop
for all, though not today.

Framed by the rustling
of proud growing junipers,
forbidding walls
relieved by shades
of purple velvet
over hand-blown glass.

It would provide
the quick escape
for any soul that had,
now been recalled.

An act of God, they'd say,
and somber nods
like reassuring waves
hung from the rafters,
rough-hewn oak,
a single ribbon greeted,
I was nearly sure
just me, the one still young.

There, near the coffin,
a spider sat, alone
and seemingly all lost.
He startled me
as he now stared
until
we both appeared to smile.
I knew he could not be
part of this world.

Herbert Nehrlich

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/burial-8/